CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF GREATER WEST TEXAS

CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF GREATER WEST TEXAS, INC. (CAC) WAS ESTABLISHED IN TOM GREEN COUNTY IN 1991. CONCERNED COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANTED AN ADVOCACY CENTER AS A WAY TO REDUCE RE-TRAUMATIZATION OF CHILDREN BY USING A COORDINATED CHILD-CENTERED APPROACH TO CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS. IN 1992 CAC STARTED THEIR FIRST PROGRAM HOPE HOUSE, A SAFE PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO VISIT AFTER AN OUTCRY OF ABUSE. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND THEIR NON-OFFENDING FAMILY MEMBERS, INCLUDING FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, CASE COORDINATION, THERAPY AND OTHER SERVICES TO STRENGTHEN THE FAMILIES' ABILITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE, NURTURING HOME FOR THEIR CHILDREN. AT HOPE HOUSE, CHILD AND NON-OFFENDING FAMILY WELL-BEING, HEALING, SAFETY AND PROTECTION ARE FOREMOST. THE GOAL OF A FORENSIC INTERVIEW IS TO MINIMIZE THE NUMBER OF TIMES A CHILD MUST TELL THEIR STORY AND COLLECT VITAL INFORMATION IN A NEUTRAL, NON-LEADING WAY TO BE UTILIZED DURING A CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATION. HOPE HOUSE STAFF COORDINATES AND REVIEWS EACH CHILD'S CASE WITH THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM (MDT) TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PURSUE PROSECUTION AGAINST THE ALLEGED PERPETRATOR. THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM INCLUDES: HOPE HOUSE STAFF, LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT,MEDICAL PERSONNEL,CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS (CPI), DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, AND THERAPISTS. IN 2015, LEGISLATIVE CHANGES ALLOWED CACS TO IMPLEMENT THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. THIS CHANGE ALLOWED CAC, AS A THIRD-PARTY, TO REVIEW CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE REPORTS, ASSESS WHICH CASES MET CRITERIA FOR FORENSIC INTERVIEWS AND SERVICES, COORDINATE APPROPRIATE SERVICES, AND REVIEW CASES WITH THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM. SINCE IMPLEMENTING THIS CHANGE, HOPE HOUSE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY GROWN TO MEET THE INCREASED NUMBER OF CHILD ABUSE CASES IN OUR COMMUNITY. HOPE HOUSE IS PRESENTLY IN ITS OWN FACILITY, ALLOWING FOR COLOCATION OF HOPE HOUSE STAFF, LAW ENFORCEMENT, CPS INVESTIGATORS AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATORS, AND HOMELAND SECURITY. THE HOPE HOUSE SERVICES ARE CRITICAL FOR THE INVESTIGATION, CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, JUSTICE, AND HEALING FOR THE CHILD AND FAMILY

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA)- THE CASA PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE TRAINED VOLUNTEERS TO ACT AS COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES IN THE CHILD WELFARE AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. EACH CASA'S ROLE IS TO INVESTIGATE EVALUATE, AND RECOMMEND TO THE COURT, WHAT IS TRULY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD. CASA'S SPEAK FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED AND WHOSE HOME WILL BE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF LAW. CASA VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE STABILITY, LOVE, AND GUIDANCE FOR THE CHILDREN THEY SERVE.